The district, which voted for Lamborn at 66.3 percent, according to early returns, is dominated by voters from Colorado Springs and has been represented by a Republican for almost 40 years. Lamborn was first elected in 2006.

"I feel really good about my race, most of all I'm watching what's happening around the country," Lamborn said. Republicans, he said, "will have a real responsibility to the American people, and I pledge that we will do everything we can to be faithful to that responsibility."

Bradley was asked to challenge Lamborn when he attended a party meeting in May and found there was no Democrat running for the seat.